Display storage and dispensing cabinet

ABSTRACT

A display, storage and dispensing cabinet for canned goods, tools, and cleaning equipment normally associated with the servicing of vehicles wherein one side of the cabinet is a mirror image of the opposed side such that each includes a storage compartment having a canned goods guide means therein for defining display and dispensing areas, and a service compartment for receiving therein tools and cleaning materials. A receptacle, accessible from either side of the cabinet through removable closures, is located within a lower cabinet housing for collecting empty cans deposited therein.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Harvey J. Smith 1211 Buckingham Rd., Greensboro, N.C. 27408 {21] Appl. No. 850,611

[221 Filed Aug. 15, 1969 [451 Patented Sept. 14, I971 [54] DISPLAY STORAGE AND DISPENSING CABINET 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 312/35, 312/45, 312/229 [51] 1nt.Cl U A47f5/08, B65b 59/00 [50] Field of Search 312/35, 34, 45,212, 229, 249, 250; 211/49 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,508 10/1953 Wright 312/229 X 2,852,327 9/1958 Mason 211/49 R 3,028,206 4/1962 Smith 312/35 3,393,031 7/1968 Morrill 312/257 R Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-David Rabin ABSTRACT: A display, storage and dispensing cabinet for canned goods, tools, and cleaning equipment normally associated with the servicing of vehicles wherein one side of the cabinet is a mirror image of the opposed side such that each includes a storage compartment having a canned goods guide means therein for defining display and dispensing areas, and a service compartment for receiving therein tools and cleaning materials. A receptacle, accessible from either side of the cabinet through removable closures, is located within a lower cabinet housing for collecting empty cans deposited therein.

PATENTEU SEP14I97I 3604.772

sum 1' or 2 M'H'I" Ill HARVEY J. SMWH 1 DISPLAY STORAGE AND DISPENSING CABINET BACKGROUND, BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF INVENTION This invention relates to storage and display cabinets for use in service stations and more particularly to a cabinet for storing and dispensing canned products and cleaning supplies, and for storing other related service station implements, tools and equipment.

Numerous devices of this nature have been heretofore developed, but many have been unsatisfactory for various reasons, particularly with respect to utility, convenience, appearance, and sturdiness. Cabinets presently employed in service stations have not provided for display and dispensing of canned products and other related merchandise, and the storage of cleaning materials and the collection of empty cans, primarily due to limited space available adjacent a conventional gasoline pumping island. Conventional cabinets usually comprise a plurality of vertical racks arranged in side-by-side relation for stacking a plurality of cans therein with the bottom of each can seating on the top of the can immediately therebelow. Oftentimes separate dispensing units are provided for dispensing cleaning supplies, for example, paper towels, and other merchandise normally purchased at such establishments.

The present invention features a unit for displaying and dispensing canned products, for storing and dispensing cleaning supplies, for storing equipment related to the servicing of automobiles, for collecting empty cans, for providing cash drawer mechanisms therein for attendant convenience, and for locking the merchandise, equipment and supplies within the unit to prevent unauthorized removal therefrom.

The unit is constructed such that one side thereof is a mirror image of the other thereby providing separate display, storage and dispensing areas on opposed sides. Corresponding parts and elements on each side of the cabinet unit are identical and interchangeable. Upper and lower removable doors provide access to the various display or storage areas and are capable of being locked to prevent removal of merchandise from the cabinet.

Each side of the unit is divided into a display and dispensing compartment and a service compartment. In the display and dispensing compartment provision is made for the display of canned products and for the storing and dispensing of canned oil products by utilizing various can guides therein. The service compartment includes apparatus for storing and dispensing various cleaning supplies, such as towels and water or other cleaning fluids, and apparatus for receiving equipment such as oilcan spouts, etc. An aperture also is provided in each service compartment for depositing empty cans therethrough which are collected within a centrally located receptacle at the base of the cabinet. Lower removable doors provide access to the empty can collection receptacle from either side of the unit.

A cash drawer is positioned within each side of the unit just above the upper removable cover or door. The cash drawers, arranged for the convenience of a service station attendant,

and for providing faster customer services, are capable of being locked to prevent unauthorized entry other than by station attendants.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a cabinet for use particularly of service stations for displaying cans of oil and other related merchandise, and for storing cleaning supplies within the same cabinet area but in separate compartments and including removable covers or doors for enclosing and preventing access to the various compartments.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cabinet unit wherein one side is a mirror image of the opposite side and corresponding components and parts on opposite sides of the cabinet are identical and interchangeable.

A further object of the invention is a cabinet unit which is neat and attractive in appearance and provides economy and cleanliness in the handling of canned goods. One feature of the invention is a cabinet structure having attendant cash drawers provided on opposite sides thereof which increases attendant efficiency and provides faster customer service.

Another feature of the invention is a cabinet having a lower empty can collection compartment, accessible through removable doors from either side of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the cabinet constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 illustrating certain of the components thereof in broken line configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet of this invention with the covers removed from one side and illustrating the interior thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lower portion of the cabinet with parts broken away to show the construction of the lower covers;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the towel dispenser supported by the upper portion of the cabinet;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the towel dispenser; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the can guides embodied in the cabinet of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The cabinet 10 of this invention is constructed largely of sheet metal and includes a generally rectangular base 12 having a body portion 14 supported thereon. The body portion 14 includes a pair of symmetrical end members l6, 17 secured in spaced, parallel relation by a top plate 18, at the upper ends thereof, and at their lower ends, to a plate 20 positioned on base 12. Depending flanges 22, 22 integral with top cover 18, and panels 24, secured intermediate the upper and lower ends of members 16, 17 on each side thereof, provide additional support to the end members l6, l7 and extend vertically between the top plate 18 and panels 24, 24. The partition 26 divides the upper portion of the cabinet into a storage compartment 25 and a service compartment 27. Each storage compartment includes an upper display area 29 and a lower dispensing area 33.

Since each side of the cabinet 10 is substantially a mirror image of the other insofar as the service and storage areas are concerned, only one side of the cabinet will be described in detail.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be noted that within compartment 25 a chute mechanism 28 consisting of a straight upper plate portion 30, a downwardly depending portion 31, a curved portion 32, a lower portion 34 positioned at an angle of approximately 7 with respect to the horizontal ter minating in an upwardly turned lip 36, is fixedly positioned by suitable means, not shown, between partition 26 and end member 16. A generally vertically extending rectangular panel 42 is positioned upon and extends normal to the straight portion 30 of thechute-mechanism 28 and is secured by suitable means between the top plate 18, the partition 26, and end member 16. Canned goods 44, shown in broken lines in IGS. 2, 3 can be stored and supported upon plate portion 30 of chute mechanism 28 and panel 42.

A plurality of can guides 38, of the configuration shown by FIG. 7, are fixedly positioned in spaced parallel relationship between sidewalls l6 and partition 26. The guides are positioned intermediate the upper portion 30 and and lower portion 34 of the chute mechanism 28. A bar 40 having a rearwardly extending plate 46 secured thereto positions the guides 38 for receiving oilcans 48 therebetween. The plate 46 extends towards but terminates short of the downwardly extending portion 31 of chute 28 such that a can 48 can be received therebetween as it rolls along the guides 38 and chute 28. While the number of guides may vary depending upon the length of the cabinet and the number of rows of cans 48 provided therein, a guide 38 is positioned at each end of each row of cans. Cans 48 are placed, as shown by FIG. 2, to roll down pate 46 between spaced guides 38, drop between the end of plate 46 and the downwardly-extending portion 31 of chute 28 roll along the curved portion 32 and the lower por- ,tion 34 until stopped by the lip 36 of the chute mechanism 28. Upon removal of the can 48 adjacent lip 36, by a station attendant, the other cans remaining between the guides 38 will roll down chute mechanism 28 to position the succeeding can adjacent lip 36.

Referring to FIG. 3, situated to the right of partition 26 within service compartment 27, is a towel dispenser 50 and a service panel 52. The dispenser 50 and panel 52 are located in back-to-back relation with a chute mechanism 60, identical to chute mechanism 28, which is positioned to dispense can goods from the other side of cabinet 10. The service panel 52, located between partition 26, end member 17, chute mechanism 60, and panel 24, slopes downwardly toward panel 24 and has a plurality of openings provided therein. Openings 54, 56 have been provided to receive conventional oilcan spouts therein and a pocket 58 receives a conventional bottle having water or other cleaning fluid therein normally used by attendants in the servicing of vehicles. An enlarged opening 62 in panel 52 is located such that empty cans 44, 48 can be deposited therethrough.

The paper towel dispenser cabinet 50 is installed at an accessible level upon a reversely bent portion 23 of one of the depending flanges 22 of top plate 18. The towel cabinet 50 comprises an open top receptacle having a tapered bottom 64 provided with an opening 66 for dispensing conventional towels 68 therethrough. The upper end of the cabinet 50 has flanges 70 thereon for cooperating with flange 23 for supporting the dispenser in the manner illustrated by FIG. 5.

In the lower portion of each side of the cabinet 10, there is provided an empty can collection compartment 79 closed by removable cover 80 having downwardly directed rods 82 secured thereto at the lowermost corners. The rods 82 are adapted to be inserted within openings 84 provided in plate adjacent each of end members l6, 17. The upper potion of cover 80 is slidably positioned on the inner side of panel 24, as most clearly shown by FIG. 4, and is provided with an opening 86 such that an attendant can lift the cover 80 and remove the same after rods 82 have disengaged the openings 84.

Located within the lower portion of cabinet 10 is a receptacle 88 provided for collecting empty cans deposited through openings 62 of the service panel 52 provided at each side of the cabinet. The receptacle 88 is supported by plate 20 between guides 89 which are fixed adjacent end member l6, 17. The receptacles 88 can be removed from either side of cabinet 10, for emptying, by removing either of the covers 80, 80.

An upper cover 90 is pivotally mounted on rods 92 by conventional fasteners, not shown, to end members l6, 17. The cover can be pivoted to a lowered position overlapping cover 80 or can be conveniently removed from cabinet 10 by being disengaged from the conventional fasteners of cabinet 10. A suitable locking means 94 is attached adjacent the upper portion of cover 90 for securing the same in a locked manner to prevent unauthorized removal of goods therefrom.

The efficiency of the service station attendant, and consequently customer service, is greatly increased by providing receptacle or cash drawers within the cabinet. The cash drawers 100 are slideably received within the upper end of each side of cabinet 10 through openings 104 in the flanges 22 of top plate 18. A plastic hood 110 of generally U-shaped configuration extends above top plate 18 and is secured at each end to end members 16, 17. By utilizing the hood 110 as a shield, advertising or other products and equipment normally associated with the servicing of vehicles can be displayed or stored upon top plate 18.

I claim:

1. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet for canned goods, cleaning equipment, and tools normally associated with the servicing of vehicles, a cabinet structure comprising spaced end members, a baseplate, and a top plate securing said end members in spaced, parallel relation, a partition positioned intermediate and in spaced parallel relation to said end members, said plates, end members, and partition defining an upper canned goods storage compartment and an upper service compartment in side by side relation, means positioned within said storage compartment defining an upper canned goods display area and a lower canned goods dispensing area, said means within said storage compartment supporting canned goods in said upper area and dispensing canned goods from said lower area, means positioned between said end members and below said storage compartment and said service compartment for receiving and storing empty cans therein, and means intermediate said walls for providing access to said empty can receiving and storing means.

2. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, means interconnecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, and removable cover means for enclosing said storage and said service compartments and said empty can-receiving means.

3. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, said means positioned within said storage compartment comprising an upper plate portion for supporting and displaying canned goods thereon, and a chute means for dispensing canned goods therefrom, said chute means including an arcuate track portion for receiving canned goods thereon and spaced parallel guides positioned at each end of the cans positioned within the chute means.

4. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 3, said service compartment including a service panel positioned therein, said panel defining openings thereon for receiving empty oilcans therethrough for deposit in said empty can-receiving and storing means, and for supporting tools therein.

5. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 4, further including a towel dispenser positioned within said service compartment, said dispenser being supported by said top plate.

6. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 5, said partition, end members, and plates, defining storage compartments and service compartments at the front and rear of said cabinet, said storage compartments and said service compartments being in opposed relation.

7. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 6, upper front and rear removable cover means for enclosing said storage compartment and said service compartment, and lower front and rear removable cover means for providing access to said empty can-receiving and storage means.

8. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 7, further including a receptacle slideably positioned within said cabinet structure above said compartments, and a hood means extending above said top plate.

9. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, said service compartment including a service panel positioned therein, said panel defining openings therein for receiving empty oilcans therethrough for deposit in said empty can-receiving and storing means and for supporting oilcan spouts therein. 

1. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet for canned goods, cleaning equipment, and tools normally associated with the servicing of vehicles, a cabinet structure comprising spaced end members, a baseplate, and a top plate securing said end members in spaced, parallel relation, a partition positioned intermediate and in spaced parallel relation to said end members, said plates, end members, and partition defining an upper canned goods storage compartment and an upper service compartment in side by side relation, means positioned within said storage compartment defining an upper canned goods display area and a lower canned goods dispensing area, said means within said storage compartment supporting canned goods in said upper area and dispensing canned goods from said lower area, means positioned between said end members and below said storage compartment and said service compartment for receiving and storing empty cans therein, and means intermediate said walls for providing access to said empty can receiving and storing means.
 2. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, means interconnecting said end members intermediate the ends thereof, and removable cover means for enclosing said storage and said service compartments and said empty can-receiving means.
 3. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, said means positioned within said storage compartment comprising an upper plate portion for supporting and displaying canned goods thereon, and a chute means for dispensing canned goods therefrom, said chute means including an arcuate track portion for receiving canned goods thereon and spaced parallel guides positioned at each end of the cans positioned within the chute means.
 4. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 3, said service compartment including a service panel positioned therein, said panel defining openings thereon for receiving empty oilcans therethrough for deposit in said empty can-receiving and storing means, and for supporting tools therein.
 5. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 4, further including a towel dispenser positioned within said service compartment, said dispenser being supported by said top plate.
 6. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 5, said partition, end members, and plates, defining storage compartments and service compartments at the front and rear of said cabinet, said storage compartments and said service compartments being in opposed relation.
 7. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 6, upper front and rear removable cover means for enclosing said storage compartment and said service compartment, and lower front and rear removable cover means for providing access to said empty can-receiving and storage means.
 8. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 7, further including a receptacle slideably posiTioned within said cabinet structure above said compartments, and a hood means extending above said top plate.
 9. In a storage, display, dispensing and servicing cabinet as defined in claim 1, said service compartment including a service panel positioned therein, said panel defining openings therein for receiving empty oilcans therethrough for deposit in said empty can-receiving and storing means and for supporting oilcan spouts therein. 